Scientists Challenge the Provision
Opening Access to Research Data

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Richard Shelby complained loudly when he couldn't get the scientific data behind a federal clean-air proposal. Now it is the scientific community that is screaming foul.

The Alabama Republican inserted a provision in last year's sprawling budget law that the nation's top scientists worry will cripple a broad range of research efforts by knocking down privacy protections. The provision provides the public with...